“While we were successful on rehearing in the Court of Appeals, turning a 5-5 affirmance into an 8-2 reversal in Mr. Taylor’s favor, the attorney general filed for rehearing last Tuesday, and I fully expect that the State would not stop there but seek certiorari in the Mississippi Supreme Court,” the statement continued. “While I am confident that we would prevail in that Court as well, there is no way to know how long that process was going to take. Governor Reeves’ compassionate decision allays all that uncertainty and provides Mr. Taylor with immediate relief. Governor Reeves deserves credit for this brave and compassionate action.”
— Shaunicy Muhammad, “Gov. Reeves Grants Clemency to Black Man Who Was Illegally Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison,” Mississippi Free Press (Dec. 10, 2025).
“Joe Hemleben, Taylor’s attorney, said, “The court made the right decision to correct, rather than condone this injustice.””
— Mukta Joshi, “State’s Appeals Court Reverses Decision and Sets Wrongly Sentenced Man Free,” Mississippi Today (Nov. 19, 2025).

Recent Wins

“Taylor’s attorney, Joe Hemleben, sent a statement to the Mississippi Free Press on Wednesday thanking Reeves “for his decision to grant Mr. Taylor clemency.” Hemblen, who was not Taylor’s attorney at the time of the plea deal, noted that before Reeves’ order, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, a Republican, was seeking to challenge the Court of Appeals’ ruling.”
— Shaunicy Muhammad, “Gov. Reeves Grants Clemency to Black Man Who Was Illegally Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison,” Mississippi Free Press (Dec. 10, 2025).

November 18, 2025

Marcus Taylor v. State of Mississippi

No. 2023-CA-00738-COA

Today, the Mississippi Court of Appeals granted rehearing and issued a substituted opinion reversing an illegal fifteen-year sentence imposed on our client, Marcus Taylor. In a significant en banc decision, the Court held that Mr. Taylor had been sentenced to a term of imprisonment beyond the five years authorized by statute for the offense to which he pled guilty. Because the trial court exceeded its statutory authority, the excessive portion of the sentence was void and could not stand.

The Court traced more than a century of Mississippi precedent establishing that when a trial court imposes a punishment beyond what the Legislature allows, the judgment is void to the extent of the excess. Reinforcing this principle, the Court exercised its inherent authority to correct the error and rendered judgment, ordering Mr. Taylor’s immediate release from custody.

This case underscores the judiciary’s constitutional duty to ensure that no person in Mississippi is held under a sentence not authorized by law. We are honored to have represented Mr. Taylor in securing this result.

Read The Opinion Here
Download the Opinion Here